Fastener attaching machine



Jah- 19, 1932 J; M. CLARK FASTENER AT TAQHING mcanm j:J1-nunmal Filed Jan. 9; 1922 A l o l ln ray/,225K Clan?,

Jan. 19,1932. J. M CLARK FASTENER ATTACHING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 9, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan. 19, 1932. J. M. CLARK FASTENER ATTACHING MACHINE e sheets-shea.: 4

originan Filed Jag. 9, .1922

Jan. 19, 1932. J, M, CLARK FAs'mNERY ATTACHING MACHINE Original Filed Jan. 9. 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 .MINI-'- Jofzfz JZ Clark'. @Mffffffffwwj Jan. 19, 1932. J M CLARK 1,842,247

`FASTENER ATTACHING MACHINEv Original Filed Jan. 9, 1922 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 @y 7 'wf/@24%,

Patented Jan. 19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT 4orrlcav .Jomr 1a. cLAnx, or DETROIT, mcmeaminssrsuon To THE UNIVERSAL BUTTON msrmrma a BUTTON co., or naTnoIT, mcHTeAN, A conronATroN or MICHIGAN ras'rmrnn ATTAcn-ms nacnnrr.

I Application led January 9, 1922, Serial No. $7,848.. Renewed .jl'axma'ry 24, 1929..`

ing out the above stated object and suchA other objects as may appear from the following description. g The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is an end elevation. F ig. 3 isa vertical section through the but- -ton and fastener delivery mechanism. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sec-l.

tion of the button receiver and button car- Y rier taken along the line 4.-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan view'illustrating the button receiving mechanism in a differentposi-l tion andshowing portions of the button carrier mechanism 1n dotted lines.

Fig. 6 is an elevation, certain parts being in section and certain arts being broken away, of the button supp y means and the button racewa Fig. what enlarged, taken along the line 7-7 of Fig. 1.' A

Fig.l 8 is a vertical, transverse section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4 throughthe'button deliveryV mechanism and tle button raceway, the parts being somewhat enlar ed.

Fig. 9 is a vertical,`1ongitu inal section through the button deliveryy mechanism showing the button positioning device in one position.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 but showing the button positioning fork with the prongs thereof straddling the bar of the button.

Fig. 11 is a perspective lview of a portionl of the machine and illustrating the button carrier and fastener raceway and related mechanism. A

iyis a vertical transverse section, some- Fig. 12 is a vertical section along 12-12 of Fig. 5 -and showing the button receiving mechanism.

, Fig. 1.3 is a fragmentary, vertical section, somewhatenlarged, throu h the afiixing and setting mechanismand ta en along the line 18-13 of Fig.- 1.

Fig. 14 is a view corresponding to Fi.13,

i the a but showing the upper portion o and setting mechanism. Y

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary, vertical section corresponding to Figs; 13 and 14 and showing the setting mechanism in the position for setting button. Y

Fig. 16 is a plan view of the typical button the fastener around the bar of the adapted 'to be affixed by the mechanism illustrated and Fig. 17 is a cross-section taken along the line 17-17 of Fig. 16.,

Like characters'of reference designate like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

The particular machine illustrated as one embodiment of the invention is intended to supply buttons and fasteners, of the type hereinafter described, to fastener setting position and to attach automatically the button to fabric or the like by means vof the fastener. Th'e typical button is one having a transverse bar or equivalent member across the hsame for receiving the fastener. The typical fastener is one having a head and a pair of projecting prongs adapted to pierce the fabricand to be bent around the bar of 4the button to attach the latter to the fabric.

This machine comprises in general a suit- 'able frame or supporting structure 10 upon which the various mechanisms and instrumentahties are arranged 1n convenient manner.

means 11 to a suitable button raceway l12 in such a way that the shanks or collets of the lButtons are supplied from button supplyVIV the collet or shank thereof is turned outwardly so as to pass through the narrow portion of the slot, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 6. The feed wheel rotates within a receptacle 15, partly filled with buttons, in a clockwise direotion as viewed in Fig. 6, and drops such buttons as are properly positioned in the passages 14 into the raceway, thus the buttons in the raceway 12 are arranged with the Shanks or cllets thereof all directed in one direction. The feed wheel 14 is periodically rotated through a shaft 16 by suitable ratchet mechanism. This mechanism may consist of a disc` 17 having notches 18 therein into which a spring detent 19 is adapted to snap. The rotation of the disc 17 is effected 'by means of a crank 20 and connecting rod 21 receptacle. 3o

through any suitable ratchet mechanism 22. The same ratchet mechanism isl adapted to engage the spring 23 of the detent 19 to disengage it from notch 18 and permit the feed wheel to be rotated. The ratchet mechanism rotates the feed wheel through a third of a turn as illustrated. The speed of rotation is suihcient to throw the buttons outwardly along the channels 14 by centrifugal force andV to drop them into the raceway 12 through a suitable opening in lthe supply The speed and frequency of the periodic rotations is designed to supply sufficient buttons to the raceway for the needs of the machine.

Any other suitable button supply-mecha\ nism may be employed to supply buttons to the raceway in the manner described.

The same shaft 16 also rotates a fastener feedwheel 24 within a fastener receptacle 25. The fastener feed wheel and receptacle are of conventional construction and need be only briefly described. The fasteners are picked up by the curved portions 26 of the feed wheel, and those which vstraddle the same slide along the straight portion 27 of the feed wheel on to the raceway 28, when the rotation of the feed wheel. is arrestedf" The notches 18 in the disc 17 are'so positioned as to arrest the feed wheel with onedof the blades in the position shown in Fig. 1, so that the fasten# ers may slide upon the blade of the racewa 28.

y other suitable means for supplying jfasteners to the raceway may be employed.

- and a guide member or rod 30 adapted' to retain the fasteners in proper position upon the blade 29. The blade 29 is twisted through' approximately 180 degrees, so that the fasteners received by it at one end areinverted or reversed'until the points thereof are directed toward the setting mechanism, hereinafter described, when they reach the end of the raceway. The rod 30' is connected to.

the blade by connecting means 31 which extend around the path traveled by the heads of the fasteners, and space the rod and blade a slight distance apart to provide a space for the heads of the fasteners. The rod 30 is sol bent as to convey the fasteners in the proper direction.

The lower end of the blade 29 of the racew-ay is inclined,'as shown in Fig. 7, with respect to the end of the fastener passage pair of pivoted detents. 33 `or other suitable instrumentalities retain the fasteners on the race way and are adapted to permit the fasteners to drop onevat a time into the mouth of the passage 32. The detents 33 may be operated in any suitable manner so that when one is withdrawn the other is presented to prevent the fasteners from running ofi' the raceway. When the "lower detent is withdrawn a fastener is `dropped from the raceway and the upper detent is presented to hold the remaining fasteners upon the raceway. In the machine illustrated these detents are conveniently operated by a reciprocating member 34, having a suitable cam surface 34 thereon (see Fig. 4) for withdrawing theV lower detent and simultaneously permitting 'the other to be pressed forward by the aid of its spring 33 on the reverse movement of member 34, the lower detent is released and is moved forward by its spring land the upper detent is withdrawn. The arm of each detent is provided with a surface 33" having a properly located, recessed cam surface to permit the detent to move forward at the proper moment. The detents and the particular mechanism for operating the detents are illustrative only and any other suitable means for dropping a fastener at the proper time may be employed.

The opening at4 the upper end of the fastener passage 32 is enlarged as shown at 35 in Fig. 7, and the blade of t-he racewayis so positioned relative thereto that when a fastener runs off the end of the blade one leg strikes against the surface -36 and the other leg is ermitted to swing downwardly and enter t e passage 32 in advance of the retarded leg. Thus, the fasteners as they are conveyed toward the setting mechanism are rotated from the position they occupy upon the raceway to a position in w ich one prong or leg of the fastenervis in advance of the other one in the passage 32. The lower portion of the passage 32 is enlarged as shown at 37 to permit the passage of the head of they ion tener setting position. For this purpose the bottom of the passage 32 is provided with a slot at 40 for the slide 39. This slide is withdrawn far enough to permit each fastener,

' tons down.

as it is dropped, to Slide byV gravity down the curved surface 38 into th-e horizontal portion of the passage 32.

The fastener delivery mechanism is -'oper ated by the main cam 4l', having a cam groove 42 therein. The lever 43 pivoted to the frame of the machine at 44 is pivotally connected to the slide 39 by the link 45. This lever is provided with a cam roll 46 (see Fig. 1) ruiming in the cam groove 42 by means of which the lever is oscillated to reciprocate the slide 39. The cam groove is designed so as to properly time the movements of the slide 39. i

Opposite the end of the fastener passage 32 is a pair of fastener receiving jaws 47 between which the slide 39 is adapted to place a .fastener. Thefaces of these jaws are provided with small notches 48- for receiving the advance prong or leg of the fastener and diverging faces 49 by means of which the aws may be forced apart slightly ,as a fastener is placed between them. These jaws are pressed together by suitable leaf-springs 50 and are pivoted at their lower ends at 51, so as to be capable ofswinging apart at the proper time.

The button raceway 12 is curved near its lower endl so as to present the buttons in horizontal position with the Shanks of the but'- (See Fig. 8.) Adjacent the end of the raceway 12 is suitable button receiving mechanism adapted to receive one button at a time from fthe rac'ewa'y and present it to the button delivery mechanism or button carrier hereinafter described. i

The button receiving mechanism may convenient-ly comprise a housing or block 52- having therein a button receiving slide 53 which reciprocates' past ythe end of the raceway 12.

The slide 53 is provided with a channel or groove 54 of a size adapted to receive the shank or collet of thebutton when the former is in the position which it occupies in Fig. 4. The block 52 is provided with a stationary cam surface 55 adapted to be engaged byA the head of the button in the receiver or slide 53 asit moves rearwardly and which cams Fig. 5). As the slide 53 moves to the left as the button across the slide and passes it through the opening 56 in the block. (See shown in Fig. 5, the end 57 thereof engages the foremost button in the race-Way and retains the buttons in the race-way. When the when the end 62 4of the recess 60 engages the detentbut is not moved in the oppositedirection until the end .63 of this recess comes in contact with thel detent on the reverse movement on the reciprocating member 59. The forward surface of the detent is beveled as at 64v so that in the event the button receiving slide meets with excessive resistance in its rearward movement, the curved surface of the detentv will serve as a'cam and disengage it from, operative connection with .the member 59.`

It` may be noted in this connection that the member 59 alsoforms the actuating element of the button delivery mechanism referred to. This button delivery mechanism comprises ineens for carrying a button from the receiving mechanism and delivering it to fastener aiiiXing position and for rotating the button so that the bar thereof, when it is in fastener receiving position, occupies a definite relation to the prongs of the fastener intended to be fastened about the bar.

The illustrative button delivery mechanism comprises reciprocating button carr1crorsl1de which, in the construction shown, is attached to or forms a contlnuation of the .reciprocating member 59 above referred to.

The button carrier reciprocates through a housing 66 containing a button passage 67. The housing 66 may be conveniently includedv within the block 52 forming the housing for the button receiver. The end of the button carrier is cut away at 68 and 69 so as to re- `ceive' a button. The button presented by the receiver to the button carrier is adapted to vrest upon the surface 70 so that the off-set 68 engages the shank or collet of the button.l The off-set 69 is cut back sufficiently` far so as not to engage the head of the button. The surface 7() is provided with an opening 71 adapted to register with the opening or hole in the button. `Pivoted between the slides of I the carrier at 72 and in a space provided is a bu'tton positioning device 72 having an end or fork 73 adapted to enter the opening 71 and to stra-ddle the bar of the button when said bar-is in proper position. In'this instance the fork is adapted t0 straddle the barv when the bar lies transversely to the direction of the button carrier. The fork 73 is pressed upwardly by a suitable spring 74 but is held depressed by the bar of the button on the carrier, as shown in Fig. 9, unless the bar is in proper position. The upward pressure of the fork against the bar of the button in the position as shown in Fig. 9 is resisted by device.

carrier reaches the limit of its travel in either.

the pressure of the head of the button against the. top of the passage 67. The housing surrounding the button carrier is provided with a cam groove adapted to engage, at its ends 76, a cam 77 on the button positioning In other words, when the button direction, the cam surfaces 76 act to depress the button positioning device and withdraw the fork 73 so that it does not project above the surface 70.

, When the button carrier is drawn to the left as in Fig. 5, it is in position to receive a button from the button receiver slide 53 as the latter passes a buttonthrough the opening 56. In this position the fork 73 is below the surface 70 and the button slides upon the carrier with the opening thereof substantially registering with the opening 71 as shown in Figs.- 9 and 10.

The button passage 67 is provided with a,

groove or channel 78 at the bottom thereof along which the button carrier slides. The upper portion of the passage is enlarged to permit the passage of the head of the button. Along one side this passage is a friction device such as a leaf-spring 79 adapted to bear K against the head of the button and press the same against theopposite wall of t-he passage. This opposite wall is so shaped as. to engage the shank only of the button. For

this purpose the wall is extended at 80, en-k gagin the shank of the button and leaving a slig t clearance between the head of the button and this side ofthe passage. The leaf-spring 79 is conveniently secured to the housing for the carrier and extends along the passage 67, so as tolightly engage the head of the button substantially throughout `its travel through the'passage. l The frictional engagements of the spring 79 against the head of the button and the surface 80 against the shank orcollet of the button mutually oppose each other, intending to rotate the button but since the spring 79 engages the button at a greater distance from the axis thereof. than does the surface 80, it exerts the greater turning moment upon the button. This differential turning moment resultsin the rotation of the button in a clockwise direction looking down upon it as in Fig.` 4. While the pressure of the button against the off-set 68 on the button carrieralso resists 55 the rotation thereof,'this pressure occurs so` close to the axis of the rotation'that it'cannot effectively prevent the rotation of the button. Therefore, as the button carrier moves forward with a. button, the latter is rotated i until the bar thereof occupies a position transverse to the direction of the movement of the carrier at which time the fork 73 of the positioning device straddles the bar land arrests furtherrotation of the button. Inv

the event that the button should be presented from the receiver to the .carrier'with the bar 81. The button holding means may conveniently comprise a pair of spring aws 82 having grooved engaging faces 83 adapted to frictionally hold the button when it is forced between the jaws' by the button carrier.` (See Fig. 13.) In this position 4the forward cam surface 76 causes the fork 73 to be withdrawn from its engagement with the bar of the button, so as to permit the button carrier to be withdrawn, leaving the button in the` jaws with the bar in proper position. `The cam surface 7 6 is so designed as not .to permit the fork 73 to rise until the carrier has been withdrawn a sufficient distance so as not to interfere with the button in the holding means.

The member 59 constituting the operating member for the button carrier, is provided at its rear end with an offset surface 84 to which is secured a leaf spring 85. The leaf spring is spaced from the member 59 through the major portion of its length, but near its end is provided with a shoulder 86 and an offset portion 87 which presses against the member 59. Within the elongated space 88 thus provided, a reciprocating projection 90 is adapted-to slide. The projection 90 is a portion of member 91 secured to the reciprocating fastener slide 39. When the projection 90 travels a sufficient distance to the left (see Fig. 4) it engages thel offset 84 and withdraws the button carrier to the left'. On the reverse travel of the slide 39 the projection 90 moves in the space 88 without .transmitting a corresponding movement to the member 59 until it engages the shoulder 86 on the spring 485,

at which time, the button carrier is moved to the right and performs the functions described above. In the event that the button carrier or the button receiver meet with excessive resistance to their forward travel, the-l spring 85 would be forced outwardly, permitting the projection 9() to continue its travel, operatively disconnected from the member 59. This safety mechanism is provided in order to prevent breakage in the -event an improperly shaped or 'positioned button should become jammed in either of the mechanisms referred to.

The fastener and button delivery mechanism are seco-,ordinated as to present a fastener and a button respectively to setting vposition at aboutthe same period in the cycle of operation, 'the setting position referred to being the positions occupied by the fasten.

er and4 button in their respective holding jaws (see Figs. 1 and 13). The setting mechanism comprises generally means for bringing the fastener and button together on opposite sides of a pieceV of fabric or the like and means for setting the points or prongs of the fastener around the bar of the button in this position. This mechanism may conveniently comprise upper die mechanism 93 and lower die mechanism 94 adapted to move relatively to each other during the setting operation. The upper die mechanism comprises a stationary housing or sleeve 95 havingr therein a reciprocating spindle sleeve 96 within which is mountedthe spindle or setting tool 97. Between the ends of the setting tool and the sleeve 96 is a compression spring 98 tending to force the sleeve and die spindle 97 apart.

The upper end of the sleeve 96 is closed by screw *plug 99 against which this spring.

presses. A suitable shoulder 100 on the die member 97 prevents lthe spring 98 from forcing the die member 97 entirely out of the sleeve. Operatively connected with the reciprocating sleeve 96 is a spindle lever 101 pivoted at 102 to the frame of the machine. The rear end 103 of thejspindle lever 101 i-s operaated by a suitable cam groove in the main cam 41. The opposite end 104 is, as stated above, operatively connected with the spindle sleeve 96 and is adapted toreciprocate the latter, thus reciprocating the die spindle 97. A

Pivoted at 105 to the base of the machine 5 is a lever 106 operatively connected with the lower die spindle 107. The inner end of lever 106 is provided with a cam roll 106 which is pressed against the peripheryV of the main cam 41- by a spring 108. The rotation of the main cam causes the outer end of the lever 106 to raise and lower the lower die 107 at the proper time as hereinafter described."

The outer end of lever 106 is provided with a handle 109 by means of which the lower diel 45 107 may-.beh'aised by hand in the. event it4 should be necessary to eject a defective fastener from the fastener jaws 47.

Surrounding the upper end of the spindle sleeve 96 is a collar 110 to which the spring C' jaws 82 are securedat 111. -The llower edge of the collar 110 is provided a spring ring 112 which frictionally engages the spindle sleeve 96. As the spindleV sleeve descendS it carries the jaws 82, through the frictionhl "1 action of the ring 112, downwardly until the vi'ing strikes the upper end 113 of the stationary vhousing or sleeve' 95. This lengagement arrests the downward travel of the jaws and permits the die spindle to travel downwardly G0 relative thereto for the purpose hereinafter described.

The movements of lthe upper andlower L-'ettingmechanisms are so co-ord'inated that after each has received its button and fasten- 6 er, respectively, they are causedto travel todle sleeve 96 carries the button 114 toward the fabric 115 or other material to which it is d esired to aiix a button. When the button is thus brought into proximity with the fabric and the fastener, the ring 112 referred to strikes the upper end of the stationary casing 95. and arrests the travel of the jaws 82, permitting the die spindle 97 to travel downwardly relative thereto and to eject the button from the jaws. The 'resilient character of the jaw arms 82 permits this action. At about the same time the lever 106 raises the lower die 107 and brings the upper end thereof into Contact with the cam surfaces 116 on the fastener jaws 47. This movement forces these jaws apart'and permits the fastener to. be raised above the same and forced through the fabric. The prongs of the fast/ener pass around the bar of the button, the bar having previously been placed in proper position relative to these prongs as described above, and engage the curved surface of the upper. die 117, which has in the meanwhile ejected the button from its holding means. The die 117V turns the prongs of the fastener around the bar as shown in Fig. l5. The spring 98 yields when the setting of the prongs is completed, to prevent damage to the setting mechanisms by their continued movement toward each to separate and permits the removal of the fabric to which a button has been attached. e

The upward travel of the spindle sleeve 96 raises the jaws 82 until thelower ends of the latterengagethe lower end 118 ofthe housing 95. This arrests the further upward travel of the jaws in properposition to receive another button. Thel upward travel ofthe spindle sleeve continues until the die'117 is raised above the jaws. Suitable mechanism 'for operating the-machine to alix a button whenever desired is provided. This mechanism'may consist of a driving pulley 119 rotated by a belt 120. The driving pulley 119 is loosely mounted upon the shaft 121 to which the main cam 41 is secured. clutch 122 is provided by means ofwh'ich the driving pulley may be operatively connected with the-shaft 121 to rotate 'the latter when desired. The clutch is controlled by clutch pedal 123 connected by a rod 124 to a bell'crank which normally engages the clutch and releases it. The clutch is ofl a type which is normally held in operative engagement by springs, but Whichemay be disengaged whenever des' by arresting its rotation. For this pur the clutch ring is provided with a sto y" j y, pted to be engaged by the end 127) of the bell crank lever and be held against rotation. When the clutch pedal 123 is depressed, the end .127 of izo the bell crank lever is withdrawn from engagement with the stop 126 on the clutch ring, whereupon the clutch becomes operatively engaged with the shaft 121. A spring 128 normally holds the bell crank lever in engagement with the stop 126 so that by lremoving pressure from the clutch pedal 123 the operation of the machine is automatically.

` tures of the invention be used conj ointly; they may be employed advantageously in various different combinations and sub-combinations. 1Having thus described my invention, I c aim:

1. In a machine for attaching a button of the type described, the combination with attaching mechanism, of mechanism for feeding a button to the attaching mechanism, means for exerting friction on opposite sides of said button at different distances from its axis as it it fed forward whereby to rotate said button, and a device for arresting the rotation of said button when the same is in proper relation for receiving a fastener.

2. In a' machine for attaching a button of the type described, the combination Ywith attaching mechanism, of mechanism for feeding a button to the attaching mechanism, means for exerting a diierential friction upon said button whereby to rotate the .same as it isfed to the attaching mechanism, and a device for arresting the rotation of said button when the same is in proper relation for receiving a fastener. L

3. In a machine for attachinga button of the type described, the combination with attaching mechanism, of mechanism for feeding a button to the attaching mechanism,

means for exerting differential friction uponn said button whereby to rotate the same it is fed to the attaching mechanism, and a device for locking said button against rotation when the button is in proper relation to a ,fastener to receive the latter.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with mean's'fory supplying buttons or the like and button :aiixing-mechanism, of mechanism for transferring the b'utton from the supply means to the afxing mechanism comprising a button carrier, and means bearing on opposite sides of a button at diiferent distances from its axis for rotatin the same as it travels wfith said carrier.

5. n apparatus for aixing buttons of the type described, button transferring mechanism comprising in combination a reciprocating button carrier, and means for frictionally engaging a button on opposite sides thereof, but at different distances from its axis of rotation whereby to rotate the same as it is moved by said carrier.

6. In apparatus for atlixing buttons of the type described, button delivery mechanism comprising in combination a reciprocating button carrier and means for frictionally enaging a button on opposite sides thereof, ut at different distances from its axis of rotation whereby to rotate the same as it is moved by said carrier, and means lfor arresting the rotation of said button when itoccupies a definite relation to said carrier.

7 'In ap aratus for aiixing buttons of the type descri ed, a button delivery device comprising in combination a button channel engaging .the head of a button on one side and the shank thereof on the other, means for moving the button along the channel, and a device to arrest the rotation of the button when it occupies a definite position.

8. In apparatus for afi'ixing buttons of the type described, a button delivery device comprising in combination a button channel, a spring in said channel for engaging the head of a button and pressing the shank thereof against the opposite side of said channel, a reciprocating slide for moving the button along the channel, and a device for entering a hole'in the button to arrest its rotation when it occupies a definite position.

9. In apparatus for affixing buttons or the like, button delivery mechanism comprising in combination, a reciprocating button carrier, a position device on said carrier pressing y definite position, means for rotating said button as it is moved by the carrier, and means for withdrawing said positioning device from the opening in the button when the latter is in atlixing position.

10. In apparatus for afixing buttons or the like, button delivery mechanism comprising in combination a reciprocating button carrier, a' member havin a passage shapedto "permit the passage o a button and having means for engaging the shank of the button on one side and for engaging the head of the button on the other side, and a positioning device on said carrier adapted to enter a hole in the button when it occupies a definite position and provided with means for pressing it against the button, said passage provided with a cam surface for withdrawing said device from the hole in the button after.

the button has traveled through said passage.

11. In apparatus for aixing buttons having a transverse bar across the opening therein, a button carrier having an opening therein adapted to register with the opening in the button, a positioning fork'in the carrier opening and pivoted to said carrier and adaptedV combination a button carrier, means for supplying buttons to said carrier, means for moving said carrier so as to deliver a button to allixing positon, and safety means for operatively disconnecting Said moving means from said carrier Whenever said carrier meets excessive resistance to movement.

13. In 'apparatus of the class described, button delivery mechanism comprising in combination a slidable button carrier, a reciprocating member for moving said carrier, and a resilient device on said carrier having a shoulder adapted to beengaged by said member for moving the carrier, said resilient device adapted to yield when said carrier meets excessive resistance to movement to disengage said member from said shoulder.

14. In apparatus of the class described, button delivery mechanism 'comprising in combination a member having a button passage therein, means for moving a button through the passage, and a spring in said passageiadapted to press said button against one Wall of said passage, said passage being so shaped and the spring so positioned that the head of the button is engaged on one side of said passage and the shank on theother whereby vsaid button is rotated as it moves through said passage.

15. In a machine for aiiixing fasteners having a pair of spaced prongs, the combina- `tion of fastener conveying means adapted topresent the fasteners with the prongs 'side by side, and a fastener delivery member having a passage thereinl adapted to carry the `fasteners, arranged With one prong in front of the'other, the' end of said passage being enlarged and said conveying means arranged with respect to said enlarged passage to direct said fasteners so that one prong strikes .the wall of said enlarged passage and therel by rotates'thefasteners so that the prongs are positioned one in advance of the other.

16 In a machine for aiiixing fasteners having a pair of spaced prongs, the combination of fastener conveying means adapted to present the fasteners With the prongs side by side and a fastener delivery' member having a passage therein adapted to carry the fasteners arranged with one prong in front of the other, the end of said passage being enlarged and said conveying 'means arranged with respect to said passage to direct said fasteners at an angle to the direction of said passage so that the fastenersfare turned to enter the `passage with one prong in advance of the other.

Kdescribed, button delivery mechanism comprising in- 17. In a button alixing machine, a button supply means, button delivery mechanism, and means `for presenting buttons one at a time to said delivery mechanism comprising. a movable member co-operating with said supply means and adapted to receive a single button, and a cam surface stationary relaltive to said member and adapted to co-operate with said movable member to cam a button from) the latter and present `it to said' delivery mechanism.`

18.v In a button affixing machine, a, button supply means, button delivery mechanism, and means for presenting buttons one at a timeto said delivery mechanism, comprising saidvsupply means to receive a single button and to prevent escape of buttons from saidy supply means, and a stationary cam surface adapted to be engaged by the button on the receiver and so arranged as to cam the button lateraly of the receiver during the movement thereof and to present the button'to the delivery mechanism.

19. In a button afiixing machine, button supply means, button delivery mechanism, and means for presenting buttons one at a time to said delivery mechanism comprising a movable member co-operating Withl said supply means and adapted to receive a single but-ton, a cam surface stationary relative to said member and adapted to co-operate with said movable member to cam a button from' the latter and present it to said delivery mechanism, means for moving said member,-

' adapted to be engaged bythe button on the a slidable button receiver co-operating with f receiver and so arranged as to cam the but- I ton laterally of the receiver during the movement thereof and to present the button to the delivery mechanism, means for reciprocating said receiver, and a spring controlled safety device for disconnecting said moving means from said receiver when the latter 21. In a button alixing machine, the combination with fastener aiiixing and setting mechanism comprising an upper setting tool, of buttonholdingmeans frictionally engaged 1I meets excessive reszstance to movement during its forward stroke.

with said setting mechanism for holding a. i

button directly below said setting tool and adapted to move with said tool, and' a stop for arresting the movement of saidholding means relative to said tool whereby the latter ejects the button from said holding means during the setting operation.

22. In a fastener attaching machine, the combination of a machine base having a pair of l-fastener holding jaws hinged thereto, a die member located between said jaws and operating upon a fastener held by said jaws, means for raising said die member in the operation of said machine for attaching the fastener, and a single manually operable meaiisconstructed and arranged to open both jaws'independently of the operation of said machine so as to release a fastener from the grasp of said jaws.

23. A button attaching machine comprising in combination, attaching mechanism including means for holding a button and fastener in spaced relation to permit a web of cloth or the like to be interposed, means for feeding a fastener to said holding means, a carrier forsupporting and moving a button to said holding means, means `for operating said carrier, means for adjusting the button to a predetermined position relative to the fastener while it is Vbeing moved by said carrier, and means for actuating said attaching mechanism and holding means to bring the adjusted button and fastener together and t0 imite them.

24. A button attaching machine comprising in combination, mechanism for attaching a button to a web ,of cloth or the like by means of a fastener and having means wherebysaid web may be positioned to receive a button at any desired point, a carrier for supporting and moving a button to said attaching mechanism, means for rotating the button about its axis to a predetermined position while the button is being moved by the carrier to the attaching mechanism, means for feeding a fastener to said attaching mechanism, and means for actuating said attaching mechanism to bring said button and fastener together and to unitetlem. j

25. A button attaching machine comprising in combination, button and fastener atu uit taching mechanism including means for receiving a button in operative relation to the attaching mechanism, fastener supply means, but-ton supply means containing a plurality of buttons in juxtaposition, a reciprocating carrier for supporting and moving successive single buttons to said receiving means, a deivice for transferring successive single buttons from said supply means to said carrier, means for operating said device and said carrier synchronously so as to effect the Adelivery of successive vsingle buttons from said supply means to said receiving means, and means for actuating said attaching mechanism tounite a button and fastener.

26. A button attaching machine comprising in combination, button and fastener attaching-,mechanism including means for receiving a button in operative relation to the attaching mechanism, fastener supply means, button supply means containing a plurality of buttons in juxtaposition, a reciprocating carrier for supporting and mpi/ ing successive single buttons to said receivingqnieans, a transferring slide for receiving a single butt'on from said button supply means and transferring the same positively to said carrier and means for operating said slide and said carrier synchronously so as to effect the delivery of successive single b uttons from said supply means to said receiving means, and means for actuating said attaching mechanism to imite a button and fastener.

27. A button attaching machine compris-4 ing in combination, attaching mechanism including means for holding a button and fastener in spaced relation to permita web of cloth or the like to be interposed, 'means for feeding a fastener to said holding means, a carrier for moving a button to said holding means, meansass'ociated with said carrier for rotating the button about its axis while the button is being moved by thecarrier` to the attaching mechanism, and a cooperating device for entering the central depression of the button when it has been rotated to a predetermined position whereby the button may be placed in said holding means in a predetermined position, means for operating said carrier, and means for actuating said attaching mechanism to bring'the adjusted button and fastener together and to unite them. 1 28. A button attaching machine'comprising in combination, attaching mechanism for uniting a button and a fastener, means for feeding a fastener to said attaching mechanism, a carrier for moving a button to at- 1 taching position, a device moving with said carrier-having a projecting head constructed and arranged to project into the central recess of the button on the carrier,- said head being of less height than the depth of the 1 button so that it does not extend to the opposite face of the button, and means for moving said carrier and head to attaching position whereby the button is accurately placed in attaching position.

29. A button attaching machine comprising in combination, attaching mechanism for bination of means for attaching a tack and button to a piece of fabric, means for injecting one of said members to said attachlng means,- feeding means, and means carrled by said injectingy means for detaching one of the members being fed from the feeding means and positively injecting the same to the injecting means.

31. In a button attaching machine, the combination of means for attaching a tack and button to a piece of fabric, means for injecting one of said members into said attaching means, feeding means, and means carried by said injecting means for detaching one of the members being fed from the feeding means and positively injecting the same to the injecting means at a point remote from the said attaching means.

32. An attaching machine of the character described comprising in combination attach- 2U ing mechanism for uniting button and fastener elements, reciprocating slides carrying devices for engaging and for moving button and fastener elements respectively to said attaching mechanism, means for operatively connecting said slides for synchronous operation, and means for automatically actuating said slides to move successive button and fastener elements .to said attaching mechanism. 30 33. A button attaching machine comprising in combination a machine base, attaching mechanism including upper' and lower dies normally separated but relatively movable to attach a button with a fastener, said mechanism being carried by a housing which projects infront of said base, button and fastener slides respectively carried by said base and housing yon a level with the eX- tremities of the upper and lower dies respectively when in separated position, said slides being locatedl in the vertical plane of said dies and adapted to move a button and fastener forward from said base to the upper and lower dies respectively, buttor and fastener raceways terminating adjacent the butiton and fastener slides respectively at points to the rear of said attaching mechanism, and means for placing single buttons and fasteners in front of the button and fastener slides, respectively, to be moved thereby to the respective attaching dies, a movable but-4.

4ton holder associated with one of said dies and normally in alinement with the button slide for receiving a button 'therefrom and movable with said dieaway from said slide during the attaching operation, and a reciprocating device operatively connected with said 'slides for operating them synchronously. 34. A button attaching machine comprising in combination, attaching mechanism for uniting a button and a fastener, means for 'supplying a` fastener, an oscillating device forv moving a button to attaching position, meansy associated with said device adapted e5 to'rotate the button as it is being moved to 'slide adapted to yield in the event said slide )of said button to control the rotation thereof in order to adjust the' button to a predetermined position.

36. In a button attaching machine, the combination comprising, button attaching dies', a reciprocating slide having means for operatively engaging a button and moving the same to attaching position, a reciprocating member for positively actuating said slide in synchronism with the operation of said dies, guiding means for said member, and means between said memberr and said meets excessive resistance during the button moving operation to operatively disconnect said member from" said slide.

37. A button attaching machine comprising in combination a machine base, attaching mechanism including upper and lower dies normally separated but relatively movable to, atta-ch a button with a fastener, said mechanism being carried by a housing which proyjects in front of said base, button and fastener slides respectively carried by said base and housing on a level withthe extremities of thel upper and lower dies respectively when in separated position, said slides being located in the vertical plane of said' dies and 105 adapted to move a button and fastener forward from said base to the upper and lower dies respectively, button and fastener raceways terminating adjacent the button and fastener slides respectively at points to the rear of said attaching mechanism, a transferring member interposed between the button raceway and the button slide for transferring a button from said raceway to a position in front of said sli-de, means for holding the button and fastener in operative relation relative to the respective dies, a reciprocating carrier in said base by which said slides are operated, guides for said carrier, and means actuated by said tively moving said transferring member.

38. An attaching machine of the character described comprising in combination attaching mechanism for uniting'button and fastenerelements, a delivery device for placing an element in attaching position, a race-v way for holding a column of elements, an oscillating transferring device at the discharge end of said raceway and having a recess for receiving an element to move said carrier for posi- 120 element to said delivery device, and a device for positively moving said transferring device both on its active and return travel in synchronism with said ldelivery device.

39. An attaching machine of the character comprising in combination attaching mechanism for uniting button and fastener elements, a reciprocating slide for delivering an element to said attaching mechanism, supply means for furnishing a succession of elements, a reciprocating transferring device Operated by said slide and having means for removing an element from said supply means, and cam means associated therewith f or positively moving sai-d element to said delivery means.

In testimony whereof, have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN M. CLARK. 

